What usually causes a delay in pollen release from grasses?

The delay in pollen release from grasses is primarily influenced by environmental factors, and wet grass is a significant factor. When grass remains wet, often due to rain or high humidity levels, it can hinder the release of pollen. This moisture can prevent the grass flowers from adequately developing or can keep the pollen from becoming airborne. The water encapsulates pollen grains, making it more difficult for them to be dispersed into the air, thus causing a delay in the pollen release that would typically occur during warmer, drier conditions.

Other environmental conditions like high humidity and low temperatures can also affect pollen release, but they do so in different ways. High humidity can sometimes help pollen release by softening the flowers, but excessive moisture from wet grass has a more pronounced direct effect on delaying it. Full sunlight can promote pollen release, but if the grass is wet, that factor may not be as influencing. Understanding these relationships between environmental conditions and pollen release is critical for managing asthma triggers effectively.